Boxing Day's First Division South review

Sutton Coldfield Town's lead at the top of the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's First Division South table was cut to just one point on Boxing Day, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

The Royals were beaten 3-1 at Coles Lane by mid-table Tividale, while second-placed Mickleover Sports hammered Loughborough Dynamo 7-1 at the Raygar Stadium.

Justin Richards gave Sutton Coldfield a 52nd minute breakthrough from the penalty spot. However, a brace from Leigh Downing after 63 and 78 minutes and then Jordan Archer two minutes from time secured Tividale`s surprise win.

Mickleover had one of those days when everything they hit went in during a 7-1 win!

Remarkably, given the final outcome, it was Dynamo who went ahead after 10 minutes through Daryll Thomas. But goals from Chris Palmer, Karl Demidh with two, Callum Lloyd and Nic De Girolamo had Sports 5-1 up at the break. Dwayne Wiley and Simeon Ashoboke scored two more in the final seven minutes.

To make it an even better day for Mickleover, third-placed Newcastle Town were beaten and fourth-placed Spalding United could only draw.

Leek Town, with games in hand, moved into seventh spot and only two points off a play-off place, after beating Castle 3-0 at Harrison Park with goals from Darren Chadwick after 39 minutes, Liam Shotton two minutes after the break and Ryan Dicker 19 minutes from time.

The Tulips were held to a 1-1 draw at ninth-placed Lincoln United`s Ashby Avenue in a game of two penalties – Jamie Thurlbourne opening the scoring for the visitors seven minutes after half-time and Danny Brooks levelling on 64 minutes for the Whites.

Fifth-placed Stafford Rangers won 2-0 at The Scholars against Chasetown in front of the day`s biggest crowd in the division of 355 with goals from Danny Cope seven minutes into the second half and Christian Dacres just past the hour-mark.

Sixth-placed Gresley FC edged the derby at Owen Street against Coalville Town by the odd goal in five, courtesy of Alex Steadman from the spot after 52 minutes, Jamie Barrett on the hour-mark and Eric Graves 11 minutes from time – Bradley Munn from the spot having given the Ravens a 50th minute lead before Jake Woolley later reduced the deficit six minutes from time.

Sheffield FC won the derby at the Coach & Horses against Stocksbridge Park Steels by the same scoreline, with Club leading 3-0 with goals from Ashley Longstaff in the opening minute, Warren Burrell after 23 minutes and Longstaff again on the half-hour mark. Rory Coleman just before the break and Ryan Laight 14 minutes from time pulling two back for Steels.

Goalkeeper Martin Kearney was the returning star as Carlton Town beat Rainworth Miners Welfare 2-1 at Stoke Lane.

Kearney, playing his first game since re-joining the club from Basford United, saved a second half penalty from Romaine Graham with the score at 1-1 and watched on in delight as the Millers went up to the other end and won the game through a Tom Maddison header 15 minutes from time.

Kidsgrove Athletic`s gradual improvement sees them now level on points with third-bottom Market Drayton Town, whose game with Norton United was abandoned due to heavy snow, after they beat Romulus 1-0, thanks to Steve Brannan`s 67th minute effort.

And Steve Woolley bagged a brace in the 6th and 90th minutes for Goole AFC as bottom-markers Brigg Town were beaten at The Hawthorns.